The days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Colleen practiced her gift each time she worked on a weapon. Of course there wasn’t much practicing. As with all the other times she crafted a weapon or worked on repairing one, she would go into the trance like state and emerge from it later when she was finished to find she had lost all track of time but the weapon was in perfect shape.

True to their word, the Coven kept an eye on the children for her when she was working. While they were an energetic lot, they were settling down into their new home and realizing they didn’t need to sneak around and hide their presence. Unlike Fort Gory, the citizens of Meirathal were welcoming to them. Colleen was finally understanding what the old saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ really meant.

Dinner was always the trying part of the day. Colleen would stop work early enough to prepare dinner for her, the kids William and Raj. In fact, it was the one time of the day she looked forward to. Except when the kids forgot their manners and reverted back to their pre-Colleen days and start grabbing at the food like it would disappear before their eyes.

Thankfully, William and Raj both would speak up and remind them where they were and the kids would settle down instantly, remembering they didn’t have to fight for survival. It was also during these times Colleen could sit and listen to Raj and William talk about this or that. When dinner was done, it was all the kids responsibility to clean up and make sure all the dishes were done properly.

Often after dinner, he three adults would walk out to sit on Williams porch then she and Raj would take a walk down by the docks to delight in the cool air that would come across the water. Colleen would find herself talking to Raj more than she’d talked to any adult in a long time. They shared common fears about the future and the unknown world of magic they now seemed to be a part of. Finally one night, she confessed something she’d never spoken to another person about.

”When I fighting those two Ta’kun in that ally, I was certain my life was over with and I was terrified. I wasn’t ready to die yet even though I had convinced myself months before that I was. But then I met Elija and….things changed. He was so…..sad. So….alone. Like me. I knew I couldn’t just walk away from him. But I would have if I hadn’t met him. Maybe it was more than just fate that brought us together. Maybe it was something much bigger than you or me.”

As the months passed, Elija watched as Colleen and Raja seemed to spend more and more time together. He was happy she had found someone she could talk to. He had become more and more obsessed withe the catacombs and would spend hours and hours down in them. Durring one of his journeies through the lambyinth he had sound a particular statue of a large dragon, with spead wings of gold and studded with crystals. While examining it one day, he pressed on a brilinat red crystal and the dragons wings closed, revealing a hidden passageway. Carrying the latern he always used in his explorations, Elija entered a masive chamber with twenty-four foot tall ceilings, supported by ornately carved pillars and a floor of polished marble. On the far end of the chamber was a dias and and ornately carved stone throne. As Elija crossed the threshold into the room the wings of the dragon spread and the passageway shut. Slowly Elija walked across the floor to the dias. He raised his lantern and saw shelves lining the wall of one side of the chamber. On these walls were rows and rows of scrolls. He walked over to the shelves and removed one of the scrolls. Carrying it to a table that was to the right of the throne, on the table was an ornate oil burner lamp and a crystal ball Elija sat the scroll and his lantern on the table and climbed up in a large chair, three times the size of the largest chair he had everseen. He slowly unrolled the scroll and upon it were strange markings. Elija studied the markings for hours trying to figure out what the could mean. After what seemed to be several hours, Elija's stomach began to grumble. He climbed down from the chair and carried the scroll back to where he had found it. Then walked to the place he had entered the chamber. As he stepped close to the passageway the wings folded and Elija walked through the passage as the wings spread again seling the chamber once more. He stopped abruptly as he thought he heard something in a strange unfamilar language speak to him. "Sam that be you arsin' about, ya not be gammonin' me." Elija said But no one said anymore as Elija looked around. Slowly he made his way back to the well entrance and looked up to a sky filled with stars. Centered in the shaft was a collection of stars that made a winged dragon with one star that seemed to flash red then white brilliantly where the dragons eye would be.

Raj Lasekura strolled about town, acknowledging the polite greetings of the folk with his warm smile, and was well aware that their respect was mainly due to the medallion about his neck and signet ring upon his left hand; the common symbols of those who held position. Over a month ago, Marshall Kallend had felt it was time to appoint himself a deputy, and it was no surprise that the position was granted to the seasoned veteran. In the beginning the appointment did not sit well with many Meirathalians, after all, he was a stranger to their world which was so different from Fort Glory or other larger centres. Kallend had been able to quell most of the dissension, and in the weeks that followed the charming and good natured warrior had quickly won over the general public in the benevolent manner in which he handled a few disputes.

The new deputy walked atop of the low wall that ringed the town and proceeded northward. He cast his eyes East, toward the green rolling hills that flowed into the ocean and admired the plateaus of orchards and vineyards that descended from the base of the wall down to sea level, like a giant stairway. The long summer day had been warm and he raised his face into the coastal wind, cooling his skin while he proceeded round the town to the northern stairway that would take him home. At the base of the stairs was a winding pathway, that meandered through a small forest beyond which were houses of Marshall Kallend and Colleen Smith.



Raj, raised his arm and waved to Marshall Kallend, who as usual was sitting on the veranda reading a book and enjoying a hot cup of tea. His usual pre-supper ritual. Kallend raised his head to acknowledge the young man who he could just about set his watch to. Nearly every day, at a quarter to five, Lasekura would emerge from the small groves that surrounded the property and join his host for a spell before Colleen called them to dine.

"How did your day go?" Asked William as he shuffled himself over to the other side of the outdoor sofa, next to a pedestal table upon which an ornate chess board with a game already in progress.

"No incidents." Reported Lasekura and took a seat opposite Kallend who was eagerly studying the chessboard.



Marshall Kallend nodded. He hadn't expected there to be any real trouble while he was away, other than the usual disputes down at the docks. "It's you move." He reminded his opponent.

Lasekura leaned in and surveyed the battle, it seemed that in his absence for the past two days their match had remained fresh in Kallend's mind. "How was Baloc?" he inquired curious why the Marshall did not have a few stories to share.

"Noisy." Replied the Mashall.

Raj nodded as he moved his knight to more fortified position.

The Marshall smiled. "I knew it." he said leaning to back to pick up the tea pot on the silver tray before him. "You can learn a lot about people by the way the play." Kallend stated as poured a cup of tea and offered to Raj who bent down over the low table and added some cream and honey to it before raising it to his lips.

Raj, smiled. Kallend was always testing him it seemed. He didn't mind it, in fact it was a trait of his that the soldier had come to admire, because he applied it to everything. "I trust then the market was profitable?" Raj further inquired.

"This was just an introduction of some of Meirathal's new labels. We'll know in a week or so if there is profit to be had." Explained Kallend.

That actually clarified a lot for Raj who never understood why they took so little of their product with them. "I caught a Moon-fish, this morning." mentioned Raj to change the subject since it seemed to boring the Marshall.

William's face lit up. "You must 'ave been up early, m'boy!"

Raj feigned a yawn while stretching then, his face stretched into a proud smile. "Told you I would catch one. I am going to throw it on the fire as soon as Colleen is done stuffing it. We'll eat like kings tonight."

The Marshall smiled graciously. "I eat like a king every night, Raj. Well, except when I'm away.", he stated then his face grew serious, "Those two days, I really missed Colleen, the kids and you. All of you have made me rich beyond anything you can imagine, Raj."

Raj, really didn't know what to say, except that perhaps this was something he should be saying to Miss Smith, but Kallend didn't expect a reply, in fact he held up a staying hand when the soldier fumbled with a response. "I know we talked about this earlier, but..."

"... but nothing has changed." Interjected Raj, who knew exactly what the Marshall was once more alluding to. "I cannot marry outside of my blood or religion. It is forbidden."

William raised his hands in surrender and told him, "I'm sorry, Raj. Won't mention it again. I respect your conviction." then he checked the time on his pocket watch, "Well it's nearing five 'o' clock. Where is Elija and the kids?" he wondered.

Colleen stepped out onto the porch and looked over to see the men sitting there at the chess game and talking. Giving them each a smile, she walked to the edge of the porch and yelled for the children to come in and wash up for dinner. When she turned around she gave both of the men another smile.

”You two as well.”

As the children seem to materialize from nowhere and scramble into the Marshall’s house, Colleen was close on their heels and delivering orders. It was a controlled chaos to say the least but by the time they sat down at the table, they were washed, their hair was combed back into place and they sat eagerly anticipating the meal.

The Marshall’s dining room was fuller these last few months than it has been in years. When Raj and William finally sat down at each end of the table, Colleen began dispensing the food. The grown men got their’s first then the children then herself.

The conversation at the table was always lively with the kids chirping about the things they had done that day. Of course they still used a lot of their street slang but Colleen had done wonders in getting them to use normal talk when they were in not in the privacy of their rooms.

Laughter was most often the sound that was heard most and there was no doubt everyone was in good spirits. When everyone started eating tonight, Colleen made an announcement the kids didn’t particularly like and took the men a little by surprise as well.

”I’ve made arrangements with some of the other citizens of town to help me teach you all school lessons.”

The kids looked at her as though she’d lost her mind while the men looked at each other, looked at Colleen then watched the faces of the kids seated at the table. Colleen saw the looks she was receiving from everyone and chuckled softly.

”It’s not the end of the world. You all need to learn how to read and write as well as simple math problems.”

The kids all started piping in their objections at once and Colleen let it go on for a moment or two before she stood up and stomped her foot.

”I won’t hear another word of it. My decision is made and that’s all there is to it. I won’t have you going through life a bunch of illiterate buffoons. You’re education is the only thing in life that’s free.”

Letting a moment pass by before she sat back down, she smiled at Raj and William.

”More peas?”

While the other kids protested about having to learn to read and write, Elija just sat there quietly with a distant gaze on his face . He idelly played with his potatoes and peas with his fork, deep in thought. Elija had not heard a word that was said. Nor did he hear Ferret say " Wot I gonna do wit readin an' writin' an them numbers gits all fouled up in me lump."

Sam piped up and said "Ain' no wonder, ain' nuthin' in yur lump to stop em." Ferret then threw a dinner roll at Sam and said "Bugger off!"

Elija set his fork down and picked up a dinner roll, then just sat there with the distant stare on his face and slowly ate a dinner roll

As the other kids piped up about the reading and writing Colleen had announced she noticed Elija was strangely quiet. When things settled back down again, she shot William and Raj a concerned look then looked back at Elija.

It was no secret the boy had been spending quite a bit of time in the catacombs, but this was the first time he had seemed so….distracted after returning. Finally Colleen called quietly to him from across the table but he seemed to be in a very thoughtful moment. Calling to him again with no response, she finally grew concerned enough o get up from her place at the table and walk over to where he sat. Kneeling down between him and Sam, she reached out and gently touched his hand that held the dinner roll.

Elija? Is everything OK?”

There was a hint of fear in her eyes as she saw the trance like state his eyes held to them and she wondered if somehow the Mermadon that had been spotted skulking around had somehow done something to him. Once m ore the dining room got quiet enough you could hear a pin drop as all eyes turned to Elija as Colleen tried to reach him.

A silence ensued after Raj took on the role of disciplinary, which he often assumed when Colleen wished to provide some personal attention to the one of the children. The warrior quickly stood, darting his eyes about the table, a spinning bottle of rage that none of the children wanted to point at them. It was all an act of course, but it was at times necessary. At first Colleen had objected to the tactic, but then she noticed how just the notion of punishment kept the children in line, a powerful notion that could only be imposed by the threat of a warrior's hand. Raj knew she wanted to take all that away from the children and he agreed that they had thus far not had the most idealistic upbringings, but unfortunately is was what they knew. "It will take some time before these wild children can venture unbridled." he had told her and so she had accepted his tactic for the time being.

Raj's bright green eyes settled on Sam and the young man sank in his seat and dropped his head while Marshall Kallend and Colleen moved round the table to see to Elija.

"I expect more of you, Sam." Lasekura sternly told them. He burned his stare into the boys mop of red hair a little while longer, then motioned his head to the door. The children, quickly followed his gesture and scampered into the hallway between the dining room and the parlor where they lined up against the wall like soldiers awaiting the retribution of their Sergeant.

Lasekura stood before the children, hand on hips. "All of you look up at me." He commanded, "The guilty bury their eyes in the dirt...."

While Raj, lectured the children on their behaviour. Marshall Kallend and Colleen gathered round Elija. Kallend kept his distance, but remained supportive to the concerned Mother. He suspected that the boy had at last discovered something in the caverns, but he did not let on just how anxious he was to learn of the boy's progress. Only Elija could unravel it's mysteries, which is why he never discouraged his expeditions. There were dangers, in the ancient ruins of course, especially for one so young, but he had Maeve keeping her 'Eye' on him and would know well before the fact if the boy were threatened by anything fixed in time. Unfortunately, Maeve could not predict the dangers of living things that moved through time, but that was what Kolldothaur was for. The Taerjen would battle to the death to protect Elija and so the Marshall remained confident that Elija could explore the ruins safely.

Colleen had yet to emerge from the dining room but Raj had already dealt with the children. After his long lecture his face softened. The children had understood and that was all he asked and in return for their consideration he promised to take the out on the sea the next day on his new boat. "If you remain well behaved." he reminded them, "I want you to especially good, to Mrs. Smith this evening." The children looked to one another and promised. It was worth the extra effort to ride the sea like pirates. They excitedly scampered off and their short memories were reminded to slow their pace by Raj's deep voice echoing through the hallway, "Slowly.", he told them, shaking his head futilely. When they were out of sight. Raj curiously peeked into the dining room to see what was going on with Elija.

Elija sat there silently for a few moments. Then he jumpded slightly, blinked and turned his eyes to first Collene then to Marshall Kallend, then back to Collene "Wat eyez' ain't done nuthin!" he exclaimed ....... "Whar 'as all me mates gone off ta?" he asked

Looking at the only two adults in the room he said again "Eyez swares eyez ain't done or blagged nuthin, eyes swares it eyez do. Eyez put it all back right and proper eyez did."

Colleen furrowed her brow at Elija’s words. While she knew he spent a good deal of time in the catacombs lately, she was worried something happened this time and it frightened her to think she was right and she wasn’t there to protect him.

It’s OK, Elija. No one said anything about you not putting things back where you found them. But….what sort of things did you find that you had to put back where they belonged?”

She was very careful in what she asked the boy. Obviously he discovered something and the last thing she wanted was for him to think he was in trouble when that was the farthest thing from the real truth. Casting her worried glance to William then to Raj, Colleen gently placed her hand over Elija’s and smiled softly reassuring the boy he was not in trouble.

“Think you can start from the beginning and tell us what you found in the catacombs today?”

Elija looked at Colleen then at Marshal Kallend, then back to Colleen and swallowed hard......"Eyez was lookin about them caddycombs when eyez found a bloody big dragon of stone, whit a symbol like on a soldiers shield, on wings of gold an sparklin rocks. Me lamps seed red shini' roch so eyes giv's it a bash an them dragons wings closed, a right hid passageway was b'hind them wings. Eyez follwed it an what ya think it be takin' me ta a digs bigger than dis house of Masrshal Kallend's. Whit carved pillars an' a floor what ya could see your fac in an smoooth as ice........ At da end of tha digs was stage an' on it was a and carved rock throne like whot a Royal would sit. When eyze gots in tha room the wings of that dragon spread an' the passage was gone. As me lamps clamped on the walls eyez sees rows an' rows of rolled up papers."........ Elija stopped for a moment and thought hard and a glazed look crossed across his face. "Eyezswalked ov'r to them shelves an' took one of them rolled papers down. Eyez took it ta a table, bigger than this un. It was sittin next ta tha throne, on tha table was a lamp like at Gypsy's digs an a glass ball Eyes laid tha rolled paper and me lantern on the table and clumd up in a chair, three times the size of the largest chair me lamps 'ave evar clamped on. Eyez slowly unrolled the scroll and deeze markin's was writ on em. Eyez tried ta read whot they meant. Then me Derby Kelly went ta growlin' So eyez put the rolled paper back right an proper........Eyez swears I did." .......... Eyez gots back ta wings an whot ya think? thez folded right up an outs I went....then them wigs the slammed shut just like a Bucket And Pail Flowery Dell ( Jail Cell ) Eyeze stopped when eyez heard something in a strange language speak to me. Eyez thought it was Sam arsin about. But he was nowheres about. so eyez comes back ta the well and looked uo and what ya think them stars they was right enough in the middl' of the well an thays looked right enoungh like a winged dragon wit' one star that flashed red then white brilliantly where the dragons eye would be." Elija the stopped and looked down at the table for a few momwnts and muttered "I swears they did."

As Elija had been talking he had reached in his jacket and took out a small pencil. With it he drew pictures absently on the table cloth of the symbol on the wings, the lamp, the crystal ball, the symbols and the stars.

Raj had almost come to believe that the boy was not the one until he mentioned the ruby eyed dragon and the way he instinctively found the release to the secret chamber beyond. After months of patiently waiting, he had at last found the Hall of Miang Dhowja, the scribe of Gallenthdrah.

Marshall Kallend looked to the doorway but by the time he had, Lasekura was already gone and on his way to the buried Tiann ruins beneath Meirathal. He walked with purpose, ignoring Sam's calls as the warrior made his way to the well and quickly descended into the darkness. At the bottom he found the stash of lanterns that amassed in the main chamber and took one. Lighting it, he made his way though the maze of tunnels, following the well trodden trails left by Elija and the other children. Constantly stopping and listening for any who might be following him, and even doubling back on his trail a few times he traveled further into the buried ruins of the lost Tiann city called Luan Chen.

Lasekura wasn't the best of trackers but he was skilled enough to follow the boy's trail. It lead him to one of the larger caverns where the boy had apparently scampered over the collapsed buildings and wormed his way through some tiny opening. Too small for even a woman to fit through. He scanned his surroundings to get a bearing as to where the other area that Elija had found might be and as he explored a little further he found the remains of two enormous doors buried in the rock. At the base of the giant twisted doors, he dug around, throwing aside rocks and pushing away dirt with his hands until he located a depression. Clearing away the dirt from bronze and black metal, he found the top of a smaller sized door within one of the greater ones, an entrance for Humans in a Dragon sized world. As he cleaned the area over the door he found ancient Tiannese writing which confirmed that it was indeed the doorway to the Hall of Miang Dhowja, the place where he scribed the words of the Great Dragon Queen Gallenthdrah.

"Damn!" Exclaimed Raj, when he realized that he would have to return with tools in order to clear away the debris in front of Human-sized doorway. It was already growing too late, though. By the time he went back and returned with excavating tools it would well into the night. He didn't want to arouse any suspicions, especially of the Coven and so Raj, figured he could return the next day.




Marshall Kallend had seen Raj listening in but had not lead on that he was aware. When Elija, had finished telling his story, William patted the boy on the back. "Thank you for being honest with us, Elija" he commended, "That is a very interesting story. Could you show me where it is tomorrow?"





Raj, did not return until a few hours later. With his clothes damp and soiled with earth he made his way across the front yard of Marshall Kallend's house and stepped onto the veranda quietly so as not attract any attention. He was exhausted and was looking forward to a hot bath and then bed.

Elija looked at the Marshal and said "Yur welcome, sir ....... Mum tells me ta always be honest sir, she does." When the Marshal asked him if he he would show him to show him where the room was tomorrow, Elija looked a little startled an expression of incertainty crossed his face. Then Elija looked at Colleen to see if she thought it was alright and for approval, because other than Sam and the other Shoddy End Gang, she was the only person alive he trusted totally and unquestionably.

Colleen gave Elija a reassuring nod and smile to let him know it was quite alright to show Marshall Kallend where the room was. With that out of the way and Elija now a bit more relaxed, Colleen cleaned off the table and with Williams help, cleaned all the dishes and put them away. The children had since been excused to finish the chores they needed to complete before they took baths and headed for bed.

Not realizing Raj had disappeared, Colleen began to worry when he didn’t show up for the cup of tea they shared just before they both turned in for the night. Of course Raj was a grown man and quite capable of taking care of himself but that didn’t stop Colleen’s mind from imagining the worse.

The sun had long since set and the crickets were singing loudly when Raj finally returned. Sitting very still on the porch of her own home, she blended in with the shadows. All Colleen could see was his shadow slink across the lawn and up onto the porch of Williams’ home. Not knowing where he had been, she thought he’d gone to see a woman. Especially with the way he eased up on the porch. It was obvious he was trying to be as quiet as possible.

Why that hurt her, she didn’t know. It wasn’t like Raj had she had anything other than a friendship. He never once made any overtly moves or comments to her that would indicate otherwise but there was no doubt she had feelings for the man. Of course she would never tell him that either. It just wasn’t…..proper. When she saw him go inside and close the door softly behind him, she slowly stood up and walked into her own home.

Colleen had long since given up on men. They were simply too complicated for her to figure out. Ironic, really. To hear them talk it was women that were the difficult ones. With Angus, things were very different. He seemed to just…know who she was and what she wanted. With a heavy sigh she shook her head and made her way upstairs.

Checking on all the children, she made sure they were sound asleep, giving Elija a soft kiss to his forehead, before turning in herself. Tomorrow was another day and there was much she had to prepare for. The children were starting their lessons and Elija had something to show them in the catacombs. Once her bath was done, Colleen practically fell into bed and closed her eyes to sleep.

The following morning, after breakfast all the Shoddy End Gang, except Elija trudged off to their lessons. Elija, Koldothaur close at the Elija's side, escorted Colleen, Raj and Marshal Kallend down into the well and through the lambreth of passageways to a pile of fallen stone wall and a small opening, just large enough for Elija to crawl through and too small for Koldothaur. The stones all had symbols and runes etched in them, worn slightly with the passage of time. "It be thru that 'ole it be Marshall Sir." Elija said as he began to crawl thru the space between the fallen stones. The ground trembled and the stones shifted, some rolling from the pile and others falling to the floor. As a fine dust waifed out of the opening Elija had crawled thru. .......... Just before the ground trembled Elija had crawled out into the lager chamber an stood before the masive stone dragon winged gates.



The gates became more apparant and detailed than Elija had remembered them and glowed with a firey radiance. "Bugger me." Elija muttered as he looked upon them transfixed with awe. Into Elija's mind a low rumbling voice sounded "aldoer darastrix lexi jaci svaust ulph coanwor confn ekess meage udoka tenamalo." Elija jumped back, shook his head and looked around. He had no idea what the words meant or who spoke them.

Slowly the gates parted, the oil lamps flickered to life and Elija crossed the threshold. As he passes the gates slowly closed behind him, shutting with a resounding thud of stone meeting stone. Elija walked slowly towards th dias and table, as he stepped upon the dias the lamp on the table flickered to life and once again he heard the low rumbling voice say "Mobi acht wer desk ui vi mapatdrachim ekess wer goawy svaklar wux geou ehtah wer irthir batobot wux sweekmon." Elija stopped and looked around the empty chamber lined with shelves upon shelves of scrolls to the table. There lying spread on the table, weighted down on the cornes by silver dragon teeth was a map. Stepping closer Elija observed ancient draconic runes and names he could not read, yet the lines that lead from one name to another seemed familiar to him. There was the coast line, the mountains, plains, rivers that he seemed to recognize. As he studied the map, the dragon teeth moved, the map rolled itself up and slid across the table towards Elija. As if in a trance Elija reached out picked the map up, holding it in his hand he stepped away from the table and off the dias. As he turned and started towards the doors they slowly opened as the lamps slowly dimmed. Carrying the map Elija crossed the threshold again and out into the outter chamber. The massive stone doors slowly shut with the same solid thud of stone meeting stone. Elija looked down at his hand holding the map and then up. Standing before him were Colleen, Marshal Kallend and Raja, as the glowing doors faded back to a solid stone gem and crystal studded wall.